Retired elementary teacher Len Shane is mixing his love of Steveston and visual arts to create colourful art cards based on local architecture and scenery.
Using bright watercolours, Shane creates stylized images of his favorite part of town - Steveston, and pays tribute to it through his art pieces which, in his words, preserve the history and beauty of the area.
Shane says art has always been a part of his life. Starting as a child, he didn't enjoy piano lessons, so his mother had him take art classes from a friend of hers, but it didn't stop there.
"As an elementary teacher, art was always front and centre because, aside from instructing, I would help in the computer lab, and set up the school newspaper. Teachers wouldn't like to use their bulletin boards, so I would feature the kids' writing and artwork up and down the halls."
Shane feels that art holds a special place for people, and believes we all have an attachment to its different forms.
"It's all about expression and finding your voice, and for me, sort of a way of expressing some deeper part of myself. It's about sharing, I love sharing my work with others."
Shane believes art also helps bring people together, regardless of background or status.
"Art is something that everyone is at ease talking about, it isn't political, it isn't risqué," he says.
"I also find that when I look through my body of work and see it reflected back at myself, it tells me a lot more about me, and how complex we are as people."
About 15 years ago, Shane began sharing his work, starting with Steveston merchants, where he would arrange to display his work in their shops, or create custom art cards for sale.
Shane credits Steveston's natural beauty for fostering his work, stating that the wide open spaces, flowing fields of grass and unique buildings, offer a wide array of inspiration for artists of all types.
"Each painting has its own kind of energy. When I look at it I can recall what I saw and how I felt. That's something that's very special to be able to have," he said, sharing his thoughts on the favorite part of his art form.
Shane loves the social aspect that comes with meeting other artists and sharing his work with the public. He encourages people to visit his website (LenShaneArt.com) or check out his newest pieces on Facebook.
